Communications Associate
Community Legal Services (CLS) of Philadelphia is one of the leading legal services programs in the country. At CLS our mission is to fight poverty, challenge systems that perpetuate injustice, and change lives through cutting edge advocacy and exceptional legal representation. CLS helps a diverse client community in issues that impact all walks of life. As part of our advocacy and community education, CLS hosts a robust communications program, aimed at sharing know-your-rights materials, legal information, and issues-based communications to advocates.
CLS seeks an AmeriCorps VISTA Communications Associate to provide critical outreach to low-income and vulnerable Philadelphians, using digital outreach strategies, including social media and video content. This is a full-time five days per week position to be located at CLS’s main office in Center City. This is a one-year AmeriCorps VISTA position. An overview of VISTA benefits for 2020, including living allowance and health benefits, is attached and see below for additional details.
POSITION SUMMARY: The goal of this project is to help CLS develop and then pilot a digital outreach strategy, including the use of social media and video content, to inform low-income and vulnerable Philadelphians of their legal rights, and provide individuals in our community with other important information. With this project, CLS hopes to reach more clients and help more low-income and vulnerable Philadelphians access the resources and information they need.
The VISTA member will have the following tasks and responsibilities:
- Refresh existing client education materials by working with CLS staff with expertise in each substantive legal area.
- Develop new client education material in the areas of housing, energy / utilities, homeownership, disability and other public benefits, employment and other rights.
- Pilot a digital outreach strategy to inform clients of their rights.
- Create graphics for social media.
- Create short videos of know-your-rights information and information on key issues.
- Work with CLS staff on content for CLS’s website.
- Frame and write the stories of CLS clients to advance CLS’s advocacy and development goals.
- Contribute to CLS’s blog.
- Assist in other communications initiatives.
AmeriCorps VISTA Member Benefits:
The AmeriCorps VISTA Member Benefits include a living allowance of $13, 297 per year, end of service benefit, relocation assistance, training, ten days of personal leave and ten days of medical leave to use during the one-year term, health benefits and childcare benefits. To see the details of all member benefits please see the attached sheet outlining each.
We seek enthusiastic, committed and diverse VISTA applicants with the following key qualifications:
- Passion for public service work, policy and others forms of advocacy
- Familiarity with social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
- Flexibility and drive
- High emotional intelligence—ability to work with diverse personalities, environments and stakeholders
- Cultural competence and sensitivity
- Resiliency and adaptability
- Experience and ability to work with low-income and vulnerable individuals
- Results-driven and highly motivated individual
- Illustrate a high level commitment to racial justice advocacy
- Bachelor’s Degree is required
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Technology driven and experience in data entry, database management and full suite of Microsoft Office programs
- Experience creating and editing video preferred
- Graphic design experience preferred
To Apply: CLS will accept applications until January 24, 2020. CLS will plan to conduct interviews the week of January 27, 2020. You can email your application directly to Caitlin Brown, Communications Director, at cbrown@clsphila.org OR apply via our website at https://clsphila.org/careers/
What to Include in your application:
Please include a cover letter and resume. Community Legal Services values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people who have experienced poverty or homelessness and people who have had prior contact with the juvenile, criminal, or child welfare systems to apply. CLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.
Community Legal Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. CLS, Inc. does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, CLS complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.